The Bombay High Court has formed a five-member independent committee to inspect construction sites in Mumbai and assess compliance with pollution-control norms, following concerns over deteriorating air quality in the city. A division bench comprising the Chief Justice and an associate Justice directed the committee to examine two specific areas within the city, with instructions to submit a report within ten days. The members of this panel include representatives from the municipal corporation, the pollution control board, the state health department, along with two members from civil society.
The court’s action arises from a suo motu public-interest proceeding initiated in 2023, after multiple petitions and intervention pleas highlighted persistent air pollution. During the hearing, a court-appointed counsel pointed out that dust from construction sites is a major contributor to the worsening air quality. The counsel further noted that only a fraction of the city’s construction sites have installed the mandated air-quality sensors, and many of those are not functional or unconnected to central monitoring systems. The court agreed that an independent assessment was necessary, rather than relying solely on agency reports.
Under earlier orders, the municipal corporation was directed in 2023–24 to enforce a 27-point guideline for construction-site pollution mitigation. These measures include installation of sensors to monitor particulate matter levels, regular sprinkling of water to suppress dust, covering of materials during transport, use of CCTV surveillance, and ensuring proper disposal of construction debris. However, evidence presented to the court suggested that compliance has been inconsistent across the city.
The Bench observed that while long-term solutions will take time, pollution caused by construction-site dust can be controlled in the short term if existing regulations are enforced strictly. As an interim measure, the court directed the municipal corporation and the public health department to issue a public health advisory alerting residents to the risks of poor air quality, recommending precautions such as wearing protective masks. It also suggested making masks available at major public transit points including railway stations and bus stops.
At the same time, the court cautioned that enforcement must avoid becoming over-broad or punitive to ordinary citizens. The focus should be on identifying pollution hotspots through targeted inspections, rather than imposing indiscriminate closures or sanctions that might unduly burden residents. The fresh inspection seeks to establish ground-reality data of compliance, which will inform any further judicial orders on remedial measures or stricter oversight.
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